Image display device

ABSTRACT

The present invention is intended to improve assembleability of a portion of a liquid crystal display panel. In an image display system for displaying images by allowing a light irradiated from behind to be transmitted therethrough, a liquid crystal display panel unit ( 227 ) includes a liquid crystal display panel ( 252 ) having a polarizing plate ( 251 ) at least on the back surface thereof and a micro-patterned retarder ( 253 ) mounted to the rear surface of the polarizing plate ( 251 ) on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel ( 252 ), and the liquid crystal display panel unit ( 227 ) and a diffuser panel ( 226 ) to be disposed in front thereof can be supported in the depressed state in the fore-and-aft direction by an upright wall ( 262 ) of a mounting base member ( 223 ) defining an opening section ( 260 ) in an area including the polarizing plates ( 250, 251 ) of the liquid crystal display panel ( 252 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an image display system and, morespecifically, to a three-dimensional image display system in which aviewer can view a three-dimensional image without wearing specificeye-glasses.

RELATED ART

Hitherto, a three-dimensional image display system has a configurationsuch that a polarizing filter part for the right eye and a polarizingfilter part for the left eye having the polarization directionsintersecting orthogonally with each other are arranged on the left andright of the front surface of a light source, the respective light raysrespective polarizing filter parts are made into parallel beams by aFresnel lens, and irradiated on a liquid crystal display device, eachlinear polarizing filter line of the polarizing filters on either sideof the liquid crystal display device having a polarization directionorthogonal to both polarization directions of an adjacent filter line,and corresponding polarizing filter line of the other side polarizingfilter, whereby the video information for the right eye and the left eyeis alternately displayed by each of the one horizontal line incompliance with the light transmission lines of the two polarizingfilters on liquid crystal panels of the liquid crystal display devices.Also, the polarization filter on the light source side is adapted tohave the linear polarizing filter line parts being respectivelyintersected orthogonally with each other at every one horizontal lineand being alternately arranged, and the polarization filter on theobservation side is adapted to be a linear polarization filter which hasone of the linear polarizing filter line parts on the polarizing filteron the light source side, whereby the video information for the righteye and the left eye is alternately displayed by each of the onehorizontal line in compliance with the light transmission lines of thepolarizing filters on the light source side on the liquid crystal panelsof the liquid crystal display devices (for example, Patent Document 1).

[Patent Document 1]

JP-A-10-63199

However, it is difficult to form the linear polarizing filter line partsin which the polarization axes are orthogonal with each other at everyone horizontal line of the liquid crystal panel as in the related art.

Such a filter is actually disposed by combining a plate or the like forchanging the phase of light with respect to one linear polarizingfilter.

On the other hand, when combining them, it is necessary to dispose andsupport the same with the relative positions adjusted. Also, in thiscase, since the plate or the like is mounted to the liquid crystal panelwith the intermediary of the polarizing filter, if they are notsupported adequately, displacement or damage of the plate or the likemay be resulted.

The present invention is intended to solve the above-described problems.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

A first aspect of the invention is an image display system fordisplaying images by allowing a light irradiated from behind to betransmitted therethrough including: a front structure for allowing thelight to be transmitted therethrough for displaying images; and a rearstructure having a light source for emitting a light; the frontstructure including: a Fresnel lens; a liquid crystal display panel unitincluding a liquid crystal display panel with a polarizing platedisposed at least on the back surface thereof and a micro-patternedretarder to be mounted to the rear surface of the polarizing plate onthe back surface of the liquid crystal display panel; a diffuser paneldisposed on the front surface of the liquid crystal display panel unit;a mounting base member having an opening section of a predetermined sizefor mounting the Fresnel lens, the liquid crystal display panel unit andthe diffuser panel; and a cover member for mounting the front surfaceside of the mounting base member, the mounting base member including anupright wall having a predetermined height formed with the openingsection along the inner periphery of a frame, and a storage formed onthe front surface side of the upright wall for storing the liquidcrystal display panel unit and the diffuser panel, and a mountingportion for the Fresnel lens formed on the back surface side thereof,the cover member including an opening corresponding to the openingsection, an abutting portion which abuts against the diffuser panel, theabutting portion formed on the outer peripheral area of the opening at aposition opposing to the upright wall in a state in which the liquidcrystal display panel unit and the diffuser panel are stored in thestorage on the front surface side of the upright wall of the mountingbase member and then mounted to the mounting base member, wherein theliquid crystal display panel unit and the diffuser panel can besupported in a depressed state in the fore-and-aft direction at an areaincluding the polarizing plate of the liquid crystal display panel bythe upright wall of the mounting base member and the abutting portion ofthe cover member, the liquid crystal display panel unit is formed with acontact area in which the micro-patterned retarder comes into contactwith the polarizing plate disposed on the back surface of the liquidcrystal display panel and a non-contact areas at end positions with theintermediary of the contact area which does not come into contact withthe polarizing plate and opposes the liquid crystal display panel, andthe liquid crystal display panel and the micro-patterned retarder arefixedly bonded to each other at predetermined portion in the non-contactareas.

In the first aspect of the invention, a second aspect of the inventionis configured in such a manner that the rear structure includes a linearlight-emitting source as the light source, a reflecting member, anenclosure for storing the linear light-emitting source and thereflecting member, the enclosure is formed with an upper space locatedbehind the Fresnel lens and a lower space located below the upper space,the linear light-emitting source is provided in the lower space in thelateral direction with respect to the liquid crystal display panel so asto emit a light toward the reflecting member, the reflecting member isdisposed at a predetermined angle so as to reflect the light from thelinear light-emitting source toward the Fresnel lens, so that the linearlight-emitting source is positioned at a location apart from the Fresnellens at a predetermined distance via the reflecting member.

In the first aspect of the invention, a third aspect of the invention isconfigured in such a manner that the liquid crystal display panel unitis stored in the storage in a state in which the lower surface of theliquid crystal display panel is placed on the upper surface of thebottom plate of the storage, and in this state, the image displaysurface of the liquid crystal display panel is placed at a portioncorresponding to the opening section formed on the mounting base member,and the polarizing plate and the micro-patterned retarder are mountedcorrespondingly.

In the second aspect of the invention, a fourth aspect of the inventionis configured in such a manner that the liquid crystal display panelunit is stored in the storage in a state in which the lower surface ofthe liquid crystal display panel is placed on the upper surface of thebottom plate of the storage, and in this state, the image displaysurface of the liquid crystal display panel is placed at a portioncorresponding to the opening section formed on the mounting base member,and the polarizing plate polarizing plate and the micro-patternedretarder are mounted correspondingly.

According to the first aspect of the invention, the invention includesthe liquid crystal display panel unit including the liquid crystaldisplay panel with the polarizing plate e disposed at least on the backsurface thereof and the micro-patterned retarder to be mounted to therear surface of the polarizing plate on the back surface of the liquidcrystal display panel, the mounting base member including the uprightwall having a predetermined height formed with the opening section alongthe inner periphery of the frame, the storage formed on the frontsurface side of the upright wall for storing the liquid crystal displaypanel unit and the diffuser panel and the mounting portion for theFresnel lens formed on the back surface side thereof, the cover memberincluding the opening corresponding to the opening section, the abuttingportion which abuts against the diffuser panel, the abutting portionformed on the outer peripheral area of the opening at a positionopposing to the upright wall in a state in which the liquid crystaldisplay panel unit and the diffuser panel are stored in the storage onthe front surface side of the upright wall of the mounting base memberand then mounted to the mounting base member, whereby the liquid crystaldisplay panel unit and the diffuser panel can be supported in adepressed state in the fore-and-aft direction at the area including thepolarizing plate of the liquid crystal display panel by the upright wallof the mounting base member and the abutting portion of the covermember. Therefore, the liquid crystal display panel unit in which themicro-patterned retarder is mounted to the rear surface of thepolarizing plate is adequately stored and supported, so thatdisplacement or damage of the micro-patterned retarder due to thesupporting state can be prevented.

Also, the liquid crystal display panel unit is formed with the contactarea in which the micro-patterned retarder comes into contact with thepolarizing plate which is disposed on the back surface of the liquidcrystal display panel and the non-contact areas which do not come intocontact with the polarizing plate and oppose the liquid crystal displaypanel at the end portions with the intermediary of the contact area, andthe liquid crystal display panel and the micro-patterned retarder arefixedly bonded to each other at the predetermined portions in thenon-contact areas. Therefore, with the supporting structure using theupright wall of the mounting base member and the abutting portion of thecover member in the depressing state, a phenomenon such that themicro-patterned retarder is detached, which occurs in the case wherepredetermined portions of the non-contact area are simply fixed, can beprevented, whereby the liquid crystal display panel and themicro-patterned retarder are sufficiently supported, and goodassembleability of the micro-patterned retarder is achieved.

For example, in the case of fixedly adhering the adhering area (forexample, the entire surface of the contact area), transmission of lightthrough the display surface may be distorted according to the adheringstate, and/or the workability is difficult. However, since the adheringportions are predetermined positions in the non-contact area, theworkability is improved, and the light must not be transmitted throughthe adhesive agent on the image display surface, whereby piece-to-piecevariations of display of the three-dimensional images among the imagedisplay systems are prevented.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the light source forthree-dimensional image display can be arranged adequately and the depthof the system can be reduced to achieve a compact design, whereby theinstallability can be improved.

According to the third and fourth aspects of the invention, the liquidcrystal display panel unit is stored in the storage of the mounting basemember in a state in which the lower surface of the liquid crystaldisplay panel is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate of thestorage, and in this state, the image display surface of the liquidcrystal display panel is placed at the position corresponding to theopening section formed on the mounting base member, and the polarizingplate and the micro-patterned retarder are mounted correspondingly.Therefore, constantly stable storage is achieved and hence displacementbetween the opening section and the position where the image isdisplayed is eliminated, whereby the three-dimensional images can beprovided adequately.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an image display box according to anembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the image display box.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an image display system according to theembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a rear unit of the imagedisplay system.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a light source.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a front unit of the image displaysystem.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the front unit of the imagedisplay system.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the front unit of the image displaysystem.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a mounting base.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a back surface side of the mountingbase.

FIG. 11 is a surface view of a liquid crystal display panel unit.

FIG. 12 is a back surface view of the liquid crystal display panel unit.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory drawing of the image display of the imagedisplay system.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a drive circuit of the image displaysystem.

FIG. 15 is a side view of an optical system of the image display system.

FIG. 16 is a plan view of the optical system of the image displaydevice.

FIG. 17 is a back surface view of a game machine on which the imagedisplay box is mounted.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, an embodiment of the present inventionwill be described.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are a perspective view and an exploded perspectiveview of an image display box in which an image display system of anembodiment of the present invention is assembled to an exterior case,and FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 are a perspective view of the image display systemaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention and anexploded perspective view of the rear structure thereof.

The exterior case of an image display box 200 includes a front coverpanel 201 and a rear cover box 202.

An image display system 220 includes a front unit 221 (front structure),a rear unit 222 (rear structure), and so on.

The front unit 221 includes a diffuser (diffuser panel) 226, a liquidcrystal display panel unit 227, a Fresnel lens 228 are mounted to amounting base 223 via a cover frame 224 and a lens holding frame 225, aswill be described later.

The rear unit 222 includes a light source (a light source unit) 231, anda mirror (reflecting member) 232 assembled to a rear case 230 whichdefines an upper space on the rear side of the Fresnel lens 228 of thefront unit 221 and a lower space below the upper space.

The light source 231 includes a predetermined plural number of lightsources 234 consecutively arranged on a center portion of a holder 233and on peripheral portions formed on both sides thereof so as to inclinetoward the front of the holder by a predetermined angle as shown in FIG.5 so as to makeup a linear light-emitting source, and is mounted to therear wall of the lower space of the rear case 230 so as to inclinetoward the rear to allow light to be emitted, so that the peripheralportions of the holder 233 come on the left and right sides, and thelight is emitted rearward and obliquely upward (rearward and obliquelyinward from the light sources on the peripheral portions) with respectto the liquid crystal display panel unit 227.

The mirror 232 is mounted to the upper half wall which is inclinedtoward the front by a predetermined angle located in the upper space inthe rear case 230 so that lights from the respective light sources 234of the light source 231 is irradiated to (reflected to) the Fresnel lens228.

The position of the light source 231 is determined so that therespective light sources 234 are arranged in the holder 233 with thecenters of the optical axes passed substantially through the centerportion of the Fresnel lens 228, and so as to be positioned atsubstantially uniform distance from the center portion of the Fresnellens 228 and also to be positioned at a distance substantially the sameas the focal distance from the center portion of the Fresnel lens 228(the lights from the light sources 234 and the distance from the centerportion of the Fresnel lens 228 pass through the mirror 232).

In this case, the plurality of light sources 234 of the light source 231are arranged between the center portion and the peripheral portions ofthe holder 233 in the shape of a polygonal line. However, it is alsopossible to form the holder 233 into an arcuate shape, or form a lightsource storage of the holder 233 into an arcuate shape so as to arrangethe plurality of the light sources 234 into the continuous arcuateshape.

On the front surface of the light source 231, a polarizing filter 235(FIG. 13) for converting the light from a right light source 234 a intoa light having a polarization for the left eye, and the light from aleft light source 234 b into a light having a polarization for the righteye.

The front unit 221 is assembled to the upper side of the front openingsurface of the rear case 230 of the rear unit 222, and a light sourcecover 236 for the light source 231 in the lower space of the rear case230 is mounted to the lower side of the front unit 221 and below thefront opening surface of the rear case 230. An air-cooling fan providedfor cooling the light source 231 is provided on the back surface of theimage display system 220.

When the image display system 220 configured as described above isstored in the image display box 200, the front cover panel 201 ismounted to the front surface of the image display system 220, asubstrate for driving substrate holders 237, 238 is disposed on the rearportion, and the rear cover box 202 is mounted thereto.

Since the light source (light source unit) 231 is disposed in the lowerspace of the rear case 230 of the rear unit 222, the light source 231can be disposed substantially at the same distance as the focal distanceof the Fresnel lens 228 with respect to the Fresnel lens 228 via themirror 232 (as will be described later, since the light from the lightsource 231 is refracted into the light for the left eye zone and thelight for the right eye zone via the Fresnel lens 228), the size of thesystem can be reduced to a compact size. Also, since the light source231 is mounted to the rear wall of the lower space so as to inclinetoward the rear, only small space is required.

When it is required to reduce the height because of the application orinstallation of the system or structure of the image display box 200,the depth of the center portion of the rear case 230 may be increased todispose the light source 231 at the rearmost position.

FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 are a perspective view, an exploded perspective view,and a partial cross-sectional view, respectively, of the front unit 221of the image display system 220; FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 are a perspectiveview and a back-side perspective view, respectively, of the mountingbase 223; FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are a front surface view and a backsurface view of the liquid crystal display panel unit 227.

The liquid crystal display panel unit 227 includes first and secondpolarizing plates 250, 251, a liquid crystal display panel 252, and amicro-patterned retarder 253.

The liquid crystal display panel 252 is provided with liquid crystal orthe like (not shown) oriented so as to be twisted at a predeterminedangle (for example, 90 degrees) between two glass base members 254, 255of a predetermined size and constitutes, for example, a TFT liquidcrystal display panel.

In this case, the front glass base member 254 of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 252 is formed to be slightly smaller than the rear glassbase member 255 thereof so that it can be formed on the basis of therear glass base member 255.

The first and second polarizing plates 250, 251 are adapted to transmitonly the lights having predetermined polarizations, respectively, andthe first polarizing plate 250 is bonded to the front surface of theliquid crystal display panel 252 and the second polarizing plate 251 isbonded to the rear surface of the liquid crystal display panel 252 sothat the polarizing axes are oriented orthogonally to each other.

The first and second polarizing plates 250, 251 are formed into almostthe same size, and at least the second polarizing plate 251 is formedinto a size to leave a predetermined margin G at the upper edge and thelower edge of the rear glass base member 255 of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 252 as shown in FIG. 12. In other words, a contact areabetween the micro-patterned retarder 253 and the polarizing plate 251disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel 252 isestablished and the end positions with the intermediary of the contactarea, that is, the margin G forms non-contact areas in which themicro-patterned retarder 253 opposes the liquid crystal display panel252 without coming into contact with the polarizing plate 251.Therefore, the polarizing plate 251 is entirely in contact with themicro-patterned retarder 253, so that unevenness of the view due to themixed existence of the contact areas and the non-contact areas isprevented. It is also possible to provide a minute distance (for example100 μl) between the polarizing plate 251 and the micro-patternedretarder 253 to achieve entirely non-contact state. In this case, anon-contact area having larger distance therefrom is formed on the outerperipheral portion of the polarizing plate 251.

The micro-patterned retarder 253 is formed with areas 258 a eachprovided with a half wave retarder 257 of a minute width, and areas 258b each having the same width as the width of the half wave retarder 257and not including the half wave retarder 257 repeatedly on a substrate(for example, a glass substrate) 256 having a light transmittingproperty as shown in FIG. 13. The areas 258 a, 258 b are providedalternately at substantially the same pitch as the unit of display ofthe liquid crystal display panel 252 by each unit of display (that is,by each horizontal line of the unit of display).

The micro-patterned retarder 253 is formed into almost the same size asthe liquid crystal display panel 252 (the rear glass base member 255 ofthe liquid crystal display panel 252), and is bonded to the peripheralportion of the second polarizing plate 251 on the back surface of theliquid crystal display panel 252 so that the areas 258 a, 258 b arealigned with the display line of the liquid crystal display panel 252through the back surface (flat side of the areas 258 a, 258 b withoutroughness) of a base member 256 via adhesive agent.

In other words, the micro-patterned retarder 253 is bonded in such amanner that the areas 258 a, 258 b are aligned with the display line ofthe liquid crystal display panel 252 through the back surface of thebase member 256 and a predetermined peripheral portion H on the backsurface of the base material 256 is bonded to the predetermined portionof the margin G formed at the upper edge or the lower edge of the rearglass base member 255 of the liquid crystal display panel 252 via anadhesive agent K as shown in FIG. 12.

In this case, in order to align the micro-patterned retarder 253 withthe liquid crystal display panel 252, some cross marks M, for example,are formed as mating marks on the margin G of the glass base member 255of the liquid crystal display panel 252 and the predetermined peripheralportion H of the base member 256 of the micro-patterned retarder 253,and application positions of the adhesive agent K are set to positionspredetermined with respect to the cross marks, and the adhesive agent Kis applied thereto. In this example, the cross marks M as referencepoints are set to two positions on the upper side and the lower sidethereof, and the adhesive agent K is applied to three positions each onthe upper portion and the lower portion and one position each on theleft and right portions with reference to the marks M. It is alsopossible to reduce the position and the number of the adhesive agent Kif sufficient adhering strength is ensured. The cross marks M may alsobe provided at the application positions of the adhesive agent K so thatthe adhesive agent K is applied thereto correspondingly.

The diffuser 226 functions as diffusing means for diffusing a lighttransmitted through the liquid crystal display panel 252 in the verticaldirection, and is formed into substantially the same size as the liquidcrystal display panel 252 (rear glass base member 255 of the liquidcrystal display panel 252).

The Fresnel lens 228 is a plate shaped convex lens having a lens surfaceprovided with concentrically arranged concaves and convexes on one side,and is formed almost into the same size as the liquid crystal displaypanel 252.

The mounting base 223 has a rectangular opening section 260 of apredetermined size, and is provided with an upright wall 262 of apredetermined height which defines the opening section 260 along theinner periphery of a frame 261. Formed on the front surface side of theupright wall 262 is a storage 264 for the liquid crystal display panelunit 227 and the diffuser 226 surrounded by a front inner peripheralwall 263, and formed on the back surface side of the upright wall 262 isa mounting portion 266 of the Fresnel lens 228 surrounded by a rearinner peripheral wall 265.

The opening section 260 is formed into a size smaller than the first andsecond polarizing plates 250, 251 adhered to both surfaces of the liquidcrystal display panel 252, and almost the same as the display area ofthe liquid crystal display panel 252.

In this case, the height of the upright wall 262 of the lower side ofthe frame 261 is set to be higher than the lower ends of the first andsecond polarizing plates 250, 251 on both surfaces of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 252 in a state in which the liquid crystal display panelunit 227 is stored in the storage 264 as shown in FIG. 8 (in a state inwhich the liquid crystal display panel unit 227 is placed on the bottomsurface of the storage 264). The height of the upright wall 262 on theupper side of the frame 261 is set to be lower than the upper ends ofthe first and second polarizing plates 250, 251 on both surfaces of theliquid crystal display panel 252 also in a state in which the liquidcrystal display panel unit 227 is stored in the storage 264. The heightof the left and right upright walls 262 of the frame 261 are set to bethe same height as the upper upright wall 262.

Provided on the peripheral portion of the back surface of the frame 261so as to project at four positions are fitting claws 267 for assemblingto the rear case 230 of the rear unit 222.

Provided on the peripheral portion of the rear inner peripheral wall 265of the frame 261 so as to project there at three positions are fittingcraws 268 for engaging the lens holding frame 225.

The cover frame 224 is formed with an opening 270 corresponding to theopening section 260 of the mounting base 223 and a front wall section271 corresponding to the upright wall 262, and a peripheral frame wallportion 272 is formed so as to fit the front outer periphery of theframe 261 of the mounting base 223.

The opening 270 is formed into substantially the same size as theopening section 260 of the mounting base 223, is formed so as to bepositioned in front of the opening section 260 of the mounting base 223in a state in which the front wall portion 271 which surrounds theopening 270 opposes the upright wall 262 which surrounds the openingsection 260 in front in a state in which the cover frame 224 is fittedto the mounting base 223 and the peripheral frame wall portion 272 isfitted and mounted to the front outer periphery of the frame 261 of themounting base 223 as shown in FIG. 8.

The front wall portion 271 is formed with an abutting portion 273 whichabuts against the diffuser 226 on the front surface of the liquidcrystal display panel 252, and the abutting portion 273 is formed alongthe entire circumference of the front wall portion 271 at a positionopposing to the upright wall 262 so that the peripheral edge portion ofthe opening 270 is warped toward the upright wall 262 to generate aresilient supporting force.

The peripheral frame wall portion 272 is provided with engaging holes275 to be engaged with engaging projections 274 for mounting the sameformed on the front outer periphery of the frame 261 of the mountingbase 223 at eight positions around the circumference thereof. On theupper portion of the peripheral frame wall portion 272, there are formedmounting strips 276 each having a hole for a fixing screw.

In other words, assembly is achieved by storing the liquid crystaldisplay panel unit 227 including the first polarizing plate 250 on thefront surface of the liquid crystal display panel 252 and the secondpolarizing plate 251 and the micro-patterned retarder 253 on the backsurface thereof as well as the diffuser 226 to be disposed on the frontsurface thereof in the storage 264 on the front surface side of themounting base 223, fitting the peripheral frame wall portion 272 of thecover frame 224 to the front outer periphery of the frame 261 of themounting base 223, and engaging the engaging projections 274 on thefront outer periphery thereof with the engaging holes 275 on theperipheral frame wall portion 272.

In this state, as shown in FIG. 8, the abutting portion 273 on the frontwall portion 271 of the cover frame 224 abuts against the diffuser 226,and the diffuser 226 and the liquid crystal display panel unit 227 aresupported in the depressed state by the upright wall 262 of the mountingbase 223 opposing to the abutting portion 273 of the cover frame 224.The opening section 260 surrounded by the upright wall 262 of themounting base 223 and the opening 270 of the cover frame 224 are smallerthan the first and second polarizing plates 250, 251 on both sides ofthe liquid crystal display panel 252. In other words, the end portionsof the first and second polarizing plates 250, 251 are interposedbetween the upright wall 262 of the mounting base 223 and the abuttingportion 273 of the cover frame 224, and the diffuser 226 and the liquidcrystal display panel unit 227 including the first and second polarizingplates 250, 251 and the micro-patterned retarder 253 on both surfaces ofthe liquid crystal display panel 252 are supported in the depressedstate in the fore-and-aft direction by the upright wall 262 of themounting base 223 and the abutting portion 273 of the cover frame 224 ata predetermined resilient force. In other words, since the firstpolarizing plate 250, the liquid crystal display panel 252, the secondpolarizing plate 251, and the micro-patterned retarder 253, includingthe portion overlapped without a gap are supported in the depressedstate between the upright wall 262 and the abutting portion 273, theoverlapped portion to be pressed assumes a uniform thickness at anyportions, and hence an even pressing force is applied thereto.Therefore, the supported state is established easier than the case inwhich an uneven force is applied. In other words, since themicro-patterned retarder 253 is also supported sufficiently, the adheredstate can be maintained only by using the adhesive agent atpredetermined portions in the margin G of the end area (it is notnecessary to adhere strongly by the front surface adhesion). Also, whenonly the portion where the thickness may not always be uniform (such asan adhering area) is supported in the depressed state, an uneven forcemay be applied. However, since it is pressed by a constant force, it canbe prevented from becoming damaged.

Therefore, the liquid crystal display panel unit 227 having the twopolarizing plates 250, 251 and the micro-patterned retarder 253 disposedtherein can be stored and supported adequately, and hence thedisplacement or damage of the micro-patterned retarder 253 or the likedue to the supporting state can be prevented.

The Fresnel lens 228 can be assembled by being stored in the mountingportion 266 on the back surface side of the mounting base 223, fittingthe lens holding frame 225, and engaging the fitting claws 268 forengagement.

FIG. 13 is an explanatory drawing illustrating image display of theimage display system 220.

In front of the left and right light sources 234 a, 234 b of the lightsource 231, there is attached the polarizing filter 235. The polarizingfilter 235 includes the front area of the right light source 234 a(right area) 235 a and the front area of the left light source 234 b(left area) 235 b which are adapted to provide different polarizationsto transmitting light (for example, to differentiate polarization axes(directions) of transmitting light between the right area 235 a and theleft area 235 b by 90 degrees).

Only part of the light emitted from the left and right light sources 234a, 234 b having predetermined polarizations can be transmitted throughthe polarizing filter 235. In other words, a light passed through theright area 235 a of the polarizing filter 235 (light from the rightlight source 234 a) and a light passed through the left area 235 bthereof (light from the left light source 234 b) out of the lightemitted from the left and right light sources 234 a, 234 b areirradiated on the Fresnel lens 228 as lights having differentpolarizations. As will be described later, the light passed through theright area 235 a of the polarizing filter 235 reaches the left eye ofthe viewer, and the light passed through the left area 235 b reaches theright eye of the viewer.

The Fresnel lens 228 is a convex lens, and refracts an optical path ofthe light emitted from the left and right light sources 234 a, 234 b ina diffusing manner into substantially parallel lights, then allows thesame to pass through the micro-patterned retarder 253 and then to beirradiated onto the liquid crystal display panel 252.

At this time, a light irradiated from the micro-patterned retarder 253is emitted so as not to diffuse in the vertical direction, and isirradiated on the liquid crystal display panel 252. In other words, thelight transmitted through a specific area of the micro-patternedretarder 253 is transmitted through a portion of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 252 having a specific unit of display.

Regarding the lights irradiated to the liquid crystal display panel 252,the light passed through the right area 235 a of the polarizing filter235 and the light passed through the left area 235 b thereof areincident onto the Fresnel lens 228 at different angles, are refracted inthe Fresnel lens 228, and are emitted from the liquid crystal displaypanel 252 along different routes on the right side and the left side.

The incident light which is incident upon the liquid crystal displaypanel 252 is emitted at a polarization axes (directions) shifted by 90degrees in a state in which no voltage is applied to the liquid crystal.On the other hand, when a voltage is applied to the liquid crystal,twisting of the liquid crystal is released, and the incident light isemitted at the unchanged polarization.

The micro-patterned retarder 253 and the polarizing plate 251 (secondpolarizing plate) are disposed on the side of the light source 231 ofthe liquid crystal display panel 252, and the polarizing plates 250(first polarizing plate is disposed on the viewer side.

The micro-patterned retarder 253 includes the areas 258 a which changethe phase of light ray transmitting therethrough by the half waveretarders 257 provided and the areas 258 b which do not change the phaseof light ray transmitting therethrough since the half wave retarders 257are not provided are arranged repeatedly at minute intervals.

The half wave retarder 257 is disposed so that the optical axis thereofis inclined by 45 degrees with respect to a polarization axis of thelight transmitting through the right area 235 a of the polarizing filter235, thereby emitting the light transmitted through the right area 235 awith its polarization axis rotated by 90 degrees. In other words,polarization of the light transmitted through the right area 235 a isrotated by 90 degrees to equalize to that of the light transmittingthrough the left area 235 b. In other words, the areas 258 b where thehalf wave retarders 257 are not provided allow lights passed through theleft area 235 b and having the same polarization as the polarizing plate251 to be transmitted therethrough. The areas 258 a where the half waveretarders 257 are provided cause the light passed through the right area235 a and having the polarization axis orthogonal to the polarizingplate 251 to be rotated so as to equalize the polarization axis thereofto that of the polarizing plate 251 before emission.

Repetition of the polarization characteristics of the micro-patternedretarder 253 is adapted to have substantially the same pitch as the unitof display of the liquid crystal display panel 252 to differentiatepolarization of the lights transmitted therethrough by each unit ofdisplay (that is, by each lateral horizontal line of the unit ofdisplay). Therefore, the polarization characteristics of themicro-patterned retarder are differentiated for each of correspondinghorizontal lines (scanning line) as the unit of display of the liquidcrystal display panel 252, whereby the directions of the lights emittedfrom the respective horizontal lines are different.

In this manner, since it is necessary to irradiate different lights ontothe display devices of the liquid crystal display panel 252 (horizontallines) for each repeated polarization characteristics of themicro-patterned retarder 253, the lights to be irradiated on the liquidcrystal display panel 252 after having transmitted through themicro-patterned retarder 253 must be vertical diffusion controlledlights.

In other words, the areas 258 a of the micro-patterned retarder 253 forchanging the phase of the light equalize the light having transmittedthrough the right area 235 a of the polarizing filter 235 to thepolarization of the light transmitted through the left area 235 b upontransmission. On the other hand, the areas 258 b of the micro-patternedretarder 253 which do not change the phase of the light allow the lighthaving transmitted through the left area 235 b of the polarizing filter235 to be transmitted as is. Then, the lights emitted from themicro-patterned retarder 253, having the same polarizations as the lighttransmitted through the left area 235 b, are incident upon thepolarizing plate 251 provided on the light source side of the liquidcrystal display panel 252.

The polarizing plate 251 functions as the second polarizing plate, andhas such polarization characteristics as to allow the light having thesame polarization as the light having transmitted through themicro-patterned retarder 253 to be transmitted. In other words, thelight having transmitted through the left area 235 b of the polarizingfilter 235 is transmitted through the second polarizing filter 251, andthe polarizing axis of the light having transmitted through the rightarea 235 a of the polarizing filter 235 is rotated by 90 degrees beforebeing transmitted through the second polarizing plate 251. Thepolarizing plate 250 functions as the first polarizing plate, and hassuch polarizing characteristics as to allow light having a polarizationdifferent from the polarizing plate 251 by 90 degrees to be transmittedtherethrough.

The micro-patterned retarder 253, the polarizing plate 251, the liquidcrystal display panel 252, and the polarizing plate 250 are combined toconstitute the image display system. At this time, in a state in which avoltage is applied to the liquid crystal, the light having transmittedthrough the micro-patterned retarder 253 is transmitted through thepolarizing plate 250. On the other hand, in a state in which no voltageis applied to the liquid crystal, the light having transmitted throughthe micro-patterned retarder 253, whereof the polarization axes(directions) are twisted by 90 degrees, is emitted from the liquidcrystal display panel 252, and hence is not transmitted through thepolarizing plate 250.

The diffuser 226 is mounted to the front surface side (viewer side) ofthe first polarizing plate 250, and diffuses the light havingtransmitted through the liquid crystal display panel in the verticaldirection.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a drive circuit 600 of the imagedisplay system 220.

A main control circuit 601 for driving the image display system includesa CPU 611, a ROM 612 having a program or the like stored therein inadvance, and a RAM 613 as a memory used as a work area when the CPU 611is in operation. The CPU 611, the ROM 612, and the RAM 613 are connectedby a bus 618. The bus 618 includes an address bus and a data bus whichare used when the CPU 611 reads and writes data.

A communication interface 615, an input interface 616, and an outputinterface 617, which perform input and output with respect to theoutside, are connected to the buss 618. The communication interface 615is a data input/output section for data transmission according to apredetermined communication protocol. The input interface 616 and theoutput interface 617 input/output image data to be displayed on theimage display system.

A graphic display processor (GDP) 651 of a display control circuit 602is connected to the bus 618. The GDP 651 calculates image data generatedby the CPU 611, writes the same to a frame buffer provided in a RAM 653,and generates signals (RGB, V BLANK, V_SYNC, H_SYNC) to be output to theimage display system. A ROM 652 and the RAM 653 are connected to the GDP651, and the RAM 653 is provided with a work area where the GDP 651works and the frame buffer for storing the display data. The ROM 652includes a program and data required for the operation of the GDP 651.

The GDP 651 includes an oscillator 658 for supplying a clock signal tothe GDP 651 connected thereto. The clock signal generated by theoscillator 658 defines the operating frequency of the GDP 651 andgenerates a frequency of the synchronized signal output from the GDP 651(for example, V_SYNC, VBLAMNK).

A RGB signal output from the GDP 651 is input to a γ corrective circuit659. The γ corrective circuit 659 corrects a non-linear characteristicof brightness with respect to the signal voltage of the image displaysystem, adjusts the illumination brightness of the image display system,and generates the RGB signal output to the image display system.

A combining and converting device 670 is provided with a frame bufferfor right-eye, a frame buffer for left-eye and a frame buffer forthree-dimensional view, and writes a right-eye image sent from the GDP651 in the frame buffer for right-eye, a left-eye image to the framebuffer for left-eye. Then, the combining and converting device combinesthe right-eye image and the left-eye image to generate an image forthree-dimensional view, and writes the same in the frame buffer forthree-dimensional view, and outputs the image date for three-dimensionalview to the image display system as the RGB signal.

Generation of the image for three-dimensional view by combining theright-eye image and the left-eye image is done by combining theright-eye image and the left-eye image according to the intervals of thehalf wave retarders 257 of the micro-patterned retarder 253. Morespecifically, since the half wave retarders 257 of the micro-patternedretarder 253 of the image display system according to the presentembodiment are disposed at intervals of the unit of display of theliquid crystal display panel 252, the image for three-dimensional viewis displayed so that the right-eye images and the left-eye images arealternately displayed by each lateral line (scanning line) as the unitof display of the liquid crystal display panel 252.

The left-eye image data transmitted from the GDP 651 during output of aL signal is written in the frame buffer for left-eye and the right-eyeimage data transmitted from the GDP 651 during output of a R signal iswritten in the frame buffer for right-eye. Then, the left-eye image datawritten in the frame buffer for left-eye and the right-eye image datawritten in the frame buffer for right-eye are read out for each scanningline and written in the frame buffer for three-dimensional view.

The image display system includes a liquid crystal driver (LCD DRV) 681,and a backlight driver (BL DRV) 682. The liquid crystal driver (LCD DRV)681 applies a voltage to the electrodes of the liquid crystal displaypanel in sequence based on the V BLANK signal, the V_SYNC signal, H_SYNCsignal, and the RGB signal transmitted from the combining and convertingdevice 670 to display a combined image for three-dimensional view on theliquid crystal display panel.

The backlight driver 682 changes duty ratios of voltage applied to thelight sources (backlights) 234 a, 234 b based on the DTY_CTR signaloutput from the GDP 651, thereby changing brightness of the liquidcrystal display panel 252.

FIG. 15, FIG. 16 are a side view and a plan view showing an opticalsystem of the image display system 220. In FIG. 15, only the centerportion of the light source 231 is shown, and the light source 231indicated by a dotted line is an apparent position. In FIG. 16, themirror 232 is omitted, and the light source 234 (left and right lightsources 234 a, 234 b) are schematically shown in an apparent position.

As shown in FIG. 15, lights emitted from the respective light sources234 a, 234 b are passed through the polarizing filter 235 and isradially diffused.

The light emitted from the right light source 234 a which have passedthrough the right area 235 a of the polarizing filter 235 (a dashed lineindicates a center of the optical path) reaches the Fresnel lens 228,where the directions of travel of the lights are changed, then aretransmitted through the micro-patterned retarder 253 and the liquidcrystal display panel 252, and then reach the left eye zone.

Since the right light sources 234 a are arranged consecutively on thecenter portion (right side from the center) of the light source 231,brightness of the light reaching the left eye zone is high. In otherwords, the light from the light source 234 a on the center side reachesan AL area, and the light from the light source 234 a adjacent theretois emitted to an area which significantly overlaps the AL area, andhence the lights from the sequentially adjacent light source 234 a areemitted to the areas which sequentially overlap each other. Therefore,sufficient light is irradiated on the left eye zone.

Lights emitted from the left light source 234 b which are transmittedthrough the left area 235 b of the polarizing filter 235 (a broken lineindicates a center of the optical path) reach the Fresnel lens 228 wherethe directions of travel of the lights are changed, are passed throughthe micro-patterned retarder 253 and the liquid crystal display panel252, and then reach the right eye zone.

Since the left light source 234 b is arranged consecutively on thecenter portion (left side from the center) of the light source 231, thebrightness of the light reaching the right eye zone is high. In otherwords, the light from the light source 234 b on the center side reachesthe AR area, but the light from the adjacent light source 234 b isemitted to an area which significantly overlaps the AR area, and hencethe lights from the sequentially adjacent light source 234 b are emittedto the areas which sequentially overlap each other. Therefore, thesufficient light is irradiated on the right eye zone.

The pitch of the scanning lines of the liquid crystal display panel 252and the repeating pitch of the polarization characteristics on themicro-patterned retarder 253 are equalized, and the lights coming fromthe different directions are irradiated on each pitch of the scanninglines of the liquid crystal display panel 252 and hence the lights areemitted in the different directions.

Lights emitted from the right light source 234 a and passed through theright area 235 a of the polarizing filter 235 pass through the Fresnellens 228, reach the micro-patterned retarder 253, pass through the areas258 a of the micro-patterned retarder 253, where the polarization axes(directions) are turned by 90 degrees before emission (light transmittedthrough the right area 235 a is transmitted), and then pass through theliquid crystal display panel 252, and reach the left eye zone. In otherwords, left-eye images displayed by the display devices at positionscorresponding to the areas 258 a of the liquid crystal display panel 252reach the left eye.

Since the areas 258 b which are arranged alternately with the areas 258a of the micro-patterned retarder 253 do not change the polarization oflight, the lights from the right area 235 a of the polarizing filter 235do not pass through the polarizing plate 251 of the liquid crystaldisplay panel 252, that is, the display devices (which display theright-eye images) at positions corresponding to the areas 258 b of theliquid crystal display panel 252.

The lights emitted from the left light source 234 b and passed throughthe left area 235 b of the polarizing filter 235 pass through theFresnel lens 228, reach the micro-patterned retarder 253, pass throughthe areas 258 b of the micro-patterned retarder 253 which allow thelight of the same polarization as the left area 235 b of the polarizingfilter 235, pass through the liquid crystal display panel 252 and reachthe right eye zone. In other words, the right-eye images displayed bythe display devices at positions corresponding to the areas 258 b of theliquid crystal display panel 252 reach the right eye.

Since the areas 258 a arranged alternately with the areas 258 b of themicro-patterned retarder 253 change the polarization of light, thelights from the left area 235 b of the polarizing filter 235 do not passthrough the display devices (which display the left-eye images) atpositions corresponding to the polarizing plate 251 of the liquidcrystal display panel 252, that is, the areas 258 a of the liquidcrystal display panel 252.

Although cross-talk caused by overlap of the right-eye image and theleft-eye image due to birefringence or radio scattering on the Fresnellens 228 or the liquid crystal display panel 252 may be generated, sincethe plurality of right light sources 234 a and the left light sources234 b are arranged in the lateral direction, the cross-talk can bereduced.

As described above, since the plurality of right light sources 234 a andthe left light sources 234 b are arranged respectively, the sufficientlight is irradiated to the left eye zone and the right eye zone. Inother words, the left-eye image having sufficient brightness reaches theleft eye zone, while the right-eye image having sufficient brightnessreaches the right eye zone. Therefore, even when the right-eye imageenters the left eye, or the left-eye image enters the right eye due tothe birefringence or radio scattering on the Fresnel lens 228 or theliquid crystal display panel 252, the difference in brightness from theleft-eye image which reaches the left eye, or the difference inbrightness from the right-eye image which reaches the right eye,relatively increases, and hence the cross-talk can be sufficientlyeliminated.

Therefore, the viewer can easily recognize the three-dimensional imageby the right-eye image and the left-eye image, and hencethree-dimensional view can easily achieved by the three-dimensionalperception based on the parallax of both eyes.

Lights from the plurality of right light sources 234 a disposed aroundthe right periphery of the light source 231 are emitted to the left sideof the left eye zone at a wide angle (DL area), and lights from theplurality of left light sources 234 b disposed on the left periphery ofthe light source 231 are emitted to the right side of the right eye zoneat a wide angle (DR area).

Therefore, the viewing angle of the image display system increases.Therefore, when video game or the like is played with this image displaysystem, or when this image display system is used as an image displaysystem for displaying a game machine (such as a pinball machine), theimage can be viewed not only by the player, but also many persons aroundthe player.

Although the three-dimensional images cannot be viewed in the DL areaand in the DR area, the images can be viewed as the two-dimensionalimages.

FIG. 17 shows a back surface of the game machine (pinball game machine)1 in which the image display box 200 including the image display system220 built therein is mounted to the game machine 1.

A display window (center case) of a screen of the image display system220 is mounted to the center surface of a game board which forms a gamearea, and the image display box 200 is mounted to the back surface ofthe game board via an upper-back surface forming member (mounting base:it may be provided with a guiding channel for prize balls) 2. Alower-back surface forming member 3 is provided with the guiding channelfor the prize balls, and covers the back surface side of a grand prizeport or a miniature attacker disposed on the game board.

In the case of the pinball game machine, the respective machines areinstalled on one elongated base, the smaller depth of the image displaysystem 220 and/or the image display box 200 is preferable in order toavoid interference with the adjacent machine. However, if there is nopossibility of interference, the light source 231 may be disposed on therearmost position or behind the lower portion of the lower case 230 ofthe image display system 220 so that the light source 231 is located atthe rearmost position or the rearmost position of the lower portion ofthe rear cover box 202 of the image display box 200, whereby coolingproperty and heat releasing property of the light source 231 can beimproved.

The embodiments disclosed here are shown as examples only, and are notintended to limit the invention. The scope of the invention is notlimited by the description shown above, but by claims, and is intendedto include all the modifications having equivalent meanings to theclaims without departing the scope of the invention.

1-2. (canceled)
 3. An image display system for displaying images byallowing a light irradiated from behind to be transmitted therethroughcomprising: a front structure for allowing the light to be transmittedtherethrough for displaying images; and a rear structure having a lightsource for emitting a light; the front structure comprising: a Fresnellens; a liquid crystal display panel unit comprising a liquid crystaldisplay panel with a polarizing plate disposed at least on the backsurface thereof and a micro-patterned retarder to be mounted to the rearsurface of the polarizing plate on the back surface of the liquidcrystal display panel; a diffuser panel disposed on the front surface ofthe liquid crystal display panel unit; a mounting base member having anopening section of a predetermined size for mounting the Fresnel lens,the liquid crystal display panel unit and the diffuser panel; and acover member for mounting on the front surface side of the mounting basemember, the mounting base member comprising an upright wall having apredetermined height formed with the opening section along the innerperiphery of a frame, and a storage formed on the front surface side ofthe upright wall for storing the liquid crystal display panel unit andthe diffuser panel, and a mounting portion for the Fresnel lens formedon the back surface side thereof, the cover member comprising an openingcorresponding to the opening section, an abutting portion which abutsagainst the diffuser panel, the abutting portion formed on the outerperipheral area of the opening at a position opposing to the uprightwall in a state in which the liquid crystal display panel unit and thediffuser panel are stored in the storage on the front surface side ofthe upright wall of the mounting base member and then mounted to themounting base member, wherein the liquid crystal display panel unit andthe diffuser panel can be supported in a depressed state in thefore-and-aft direction at an area comprising the polarizing plate of theliquid crystal display panel by the upright wall of the mounting basemember and the abutting portion of the cover member, the liquid crystaldisplay panel unit is formed with a contact area in which themicro-patterned retarder comes into contact with the polarizing platewhich is disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal displaypanel and non-contact areas which do not come into contact with thepolarizing plate and oppose the liquid crystal display panel at endportions with the intermediary of the contact area, and the liquidcrystal display panel and the micro-patterned retarder are fixedlybonded to each other at predetermined portions in the non-contact areas.4. (canceled)
 5. The image display system according to claim 3,characterized in that the rear structure comprises a linearlight-emitting source as the light source, a reflecting member, and anenclosure for storing the linear light-emitting source and thereflecting member, the enclosure comprises an upper space positionedbehind the Fresnel lens and a lower space positioned below the upperspace, the linear light-emitting source is arranged in the lower spacein the lateral direction with respect to the liquid crystal displaypanel so as to emit a light toward the reflecting member, the reflectingmember is disposed in the upper space at a predetermined angle so as toreflect the light from the linear light-emitting source toward theFresnel lens, and the linear light-emitting source is located at aposition apart from the Fresnel lens by a predetermined distance via thereflecting member.
 6. The image display system according to claim 3,characterized in that the liquid crystal display panel unit is stored inthe storage in a state in which the lower surface of the liquid crystaldisplay panel is placed on the upper surface of the bottom plate of thestorage, and in this state, the image display surface of the liquidcrystal display panel is placed at a portion corresponding to theopening section formed on the mounting base member, and the polarizingplate and the micro-patterned retarder are mounted correspondingly. 7.The image display system according to claim 5, characterized in that theliquid crystal display panel unit is stored in the storage in a state inwhich the lower surface of the liquid crystal display panel is placed onthe upper surface of the bottom plate of the storage, and in this state,the image display surface of the liquid crystal display panel is placedat the portion corresponding to the opening section formed on themounting base member, and the polarizing plate and the micro-patternedretarder are mounted correspondingly.